10 Most-Read Blog Posts of 2012

As we prepare to put 2012 to bed, it is always a good idea to reflect on the past year. For the remaining days of 2012, the editors at AgWeb.com will bring you stories that were important this year and will continue to be top of mind in 2013. We’ll also include some traditional best-of and end-of-the year pieces. Send any thoughts or comments on the stories to editors@agweb.com.

These were the most-read blog posts of 2012. Follow the links to take a trip back through the year.

Your Precious Land

$21,900 per Acre for Sioux County Farmland!By Mike Walsten
Now it's $21,900 an acre for Sioux County, Iowa farmland. Remember that $20,000-an-acre auction in Sioux County about a year ago? Well... never mind. Now it's $21,900 an acre.

Current Marketing Thoughts

Three Reasons Why the Market Is NervousBy Kevin Van Trump
Hearing a lot of talk circling around Brazil having already sold close to 85% of their soybean crop and lineups at the ports once again building. We may see more demand coming to the US sooner rather than later.

Current Marketing Thoughts

My Thoughts On Pricing 2013 CropBy Kevin Van Trump
U.S. employment data took center stage this morning. Most in the trade were looking for the data to show an 150,000 private sector jobs added, instead the US data showed we added 257,000 private sector jobs! WOW!

The Farm CPA

2012 May Be Last Year for Section 179 FlexibilityBy Paul Neiffer
Most farmers know the benefits of the Section 179 deduction. The deduction has been as high as $500,000, is $139,000 for 2012 and is scheduled to drop back to $25,000 in 2013. What many farmers do not know about is the ability to go back and amend their tax return to change their Section 179 deduction.

In the Shop

Update From The Front Lines Of Harvest By Dan Anderson
I've never seen crops vary so much, nor combines require such diverse settings and frequent adjustments. Combine adjustments that work great at one end of a field cause large crop losses at the other end of the same field.

Current Marketing Thoughts

Crop Conditions Cut and a Few Thoughts on Soybeans By Kevin Van Trump
U.S. crop production estimates continue to slide as the USDA announced another round of major cuts to corn and soybean conditions. The trade seems to be thinking U.S. corn production could end up below 11.0 billion bushels and corn yield estimates potentially fall below 130 bushels per acre.

The Allendale Wake-Up Call

Tight Supplies Battle Outside Influences By Paul Georgy
Commodity futures are mixed this morning. Grain markets are battling between tight stocks and outside influences. The tight stocks of corn in the US and the inability of South America to export corn and soybeans on a timely basis have been positive to prices.

Farmland Forecast

Corn Stocks at Lowest Level since 1998 By Marc Schober
Corn stocks were 14% below last year's levels and the lowest Q3 number since the 3.04 billion bushels in June of 1998, indicating strong global demand for corn. USDA estimates in 2012 the U.S. will plant 96.4 million acres of corn, the most since 1937.